Removing and installing rear lid handle release button E234 - 3-door and 5-door models — AUDI
Removing and installing rear lid handle release button E234 - 3-door and 5-door models on Audi: 8 steps.
On the 3-door and 5-door A3 (8V, 2012–2020), the rear lid release button E234 sits in the handle strip above the number plate and is reached from inside the lid. The lower rear lid trim comes off first, then the electrical connectors and aerial wire are unplugged and moved clear and the two nuts removed. After the retaining tabs are released and the number plate lights taken out, the button's side tabs are released with conrod support 3090 and the button pressed out outwards, its wire guided through the opening. On cars with a reversing camera the job does not end when the trim is back on: camera R189 has to be recalibrated because its mounting area has been disturbed.
🧭 Before you start
Remove the lower rear lid trim, unplug the connectors and aerial wire, and remove the nuts. Release the retaining tabs, remove the number plate lights, then release the button's side tabs with tool 3090 and press it out, guiding the wire through. Refit in reverse and recalibrate the reversing camera where fitted.
Fits: Audi A3 (8V, 2012–2020); platform code 85
Don't miss
- Unplug connectors (3, 5) and the aerial wire before removing the nuts.
- Release the side tabs with conrod support 3090 rather than prising the button out.
- Guide the wire carefully through the opening so the connector does not snag.
- Recalibrate the reversing camera R189 on cars that have one.
Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.
📋 Procedure
- Remove rear lid trim (bottom) General body repairs, interior70Luggage compartment trim panels.
- Unplug electrical connectors (3, 5) and aerial wire (1) and move clear.
- Remove nuts (2, 4).
- Release retaining tabs (arrows).
- Remove number plate lights .
- Release side retaining tabs with conrod support3090(arrows A) and press out button (1) outwards (arrow B).
- Guide out electrical wire through opening.
- On vehicles with reversing camera, reversing camera R189 must be re-calibrated Communication91Reversing camera system; Calibrating reversing camera system.
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TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
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The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.